DRIVING SUSTAINABLE
CHANGE TOGETHER

Sign In Join

Home | News | Article

Products of change. News

Biodegradable face masks coming to UK

Thu 03 Dec 2020 | 02:48 pm GMT
Michelle Urquhart | Products of Change Writer

Biodegradable masks will be available in the UK from early 2021

Revolutionary new technology coming to UK and Europe from Canadian company Change Plastic for Good Beginning in January 2021, Canadian company Change Plastic for Good will begin supplying face masks to the UK and Europe which are made using a revolutionary product called BDP (breakdown plastic). BDP is an organic ingredient added into the polypropylene mask fabric during manufacturing. After disposal in landfill, microbes are able to consume the masks in a few years instead of centuries. What remains of the biodegraded plastic fibres are biomass and biogas, the same materials as decomposing organic waste. Unlike some technologies which fragment plastic into smaller bits in open air environments causing micro-plastics, BDP acts very differently. Typically, microbes do not see plastic as a food source. With BDP able to make the plastic ‘sweet’ for microbes, they are able to consume the polymer chains entirely. This sets BDP apart from other technologies as it is simply speeding up what Mother Nature does naturally over hundreds of years. One important benefit is the plastics maintain their recyclability. “The real story here is the work we are doing with organisations that help clean up plastic waste,” says chief marketing officer for Change Plastic for Good and ambassador for Products of Change, Peter Rooke. “The circular economy is the key to solving this waste problem and without significant funding for clean-up efforts, it will be a huge challenge to clean up our current mess. The vision that we have at Change Plastic for Good helps clean up the plastic waste mess we have created around the world...past, present and future. The launch into PPE is a game changer for preventing this potentially damaging new waste stream.” The masks comply with all the same standards as any other surgical mask on the market and the quality and durability is the same. The shelf life for BDP products is indefinite. It is only in landfills, under soil or in oceans where the microbes begin consuming the plastic.
related articles
George at Asda launches clothes recycling scheme

Customers will receive a 10% off voucher for George.com when they pack up their old and unwanted clothes.

Read More

Fri 05 Mar 2021 | 11:39 am GMT

FASHION
Asda’s pledge to sustainable school uniforms

This year, 100% of George at Asda’s schoolwear is sustainably sourced and is part of the retailer’s wider commitment to planet-friendly fashion

Read More

Mon 30 Nov 2020 | 12:27 pm GMT

FASHION
boohoo Group commits to ethical sourcing

Second independent report from Sir Brian Leveson PC results in boohoo reducing the number of clothing suppliers it works with to just 78 who meet its new supply chain standards.

Read More

Tue 30 Mar 2021 | 06:17 am GMT

FASHION
Join a live discussion on fashion

Product of Change members are invited to join Kate French on Thursday 14 January via Zoom as she leads a discussion on sustainable changes within the fashion industry

Read More

Tue 12 Jan 2021 | 04:21 pm GMT

FASHION
Most read stories
Monopoly goes green

Hasbro releases Monopoly: Go Green edition board game made with 100% recycled paper, FSC wood and players investing in renewable energy and bike paths

Read More

Thu 10 Dec 2020 | 02:59 pm GMT

TOYS
Our story: Stay Wild swimwear

Encouraging customers to send back their old swimwear for recycling is key to building a cleaner, greener business for Natalie Glaze and Zanna Van Dijk, co-founders of fashion brand Stay…

Read More

Tue 09 Mar 2021 | 11:25 am GMT

FASHION
Sustainable pancake day from Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s has reduced plastic in packaging of its pancake mix by 86% for Shrove Tuesday.

Read More

Tue 16 Feb 2021 | 09:12 am GMT

RETAIL
Amazon expands on Climate Pledge Friendly

Amazon launched its Climate Pledge Friendly programme late last year, making it easier for customers to discover and shop for more sustainable products.

Read More

Tue 02 Mar 2021 | 09:31 am GMT

RETAIL
Why join Products of Change?

Products of Change (POC) is a global membership hub, which aims to help individuals and businesses to collectively drive prolonged and achievable change on the sustainable front.

Read More

Thu 25 Mar 2021 | 06:39 am GMT

NETWORKING
UK investors want sustainable investments

78% of British investors would not invest against their personal beliefs

Read More

Tue 12 Jan 2021 | 03:07 pm GMT

FINANCIAL
Tesco cuts plastic from Christmas range

Retailer removes 20 million pieces of single-use plastic from its crackers, lights, cards and puddings this year

Read More

Thu 10 Dec 2020 | 02:52 pm GMT

FMCG
Shopping for sustainable baby and toddler clothes

Customers shopping online for baby and toddler clothing at John Lewis, H&M, Next and Boden can now download a Google Chrome extension that lets them view sustainability information about products.

Read More

Tue 13 Apr 2021 | 08:12 am GMT

FASHION